MTV Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar Ya Paisa – Where Hearts, Wallets Collided in Epic Fashion, written by Shanku Sharma

//Shanku Sharma//

MTV Splitsvilla returned with its 16th season in January 2026, rebranded as Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar Ya Paisa, and it delivered one of the most divisive and entertaining editions in recent memory. Filmed in Mahabalipuram, the season was hosted by Sunny Leone and Karan Kundrra, with Uorfi Javed and Nia Sharma appearing as the “Mischief Makers.” The show aired on MTV India from January 9 to May 16, 2026, and was also streamed digitally on JioHotstar. Kushal “Gullu” Tanwar and Kaira Anu emerged as the winners of the season. The show introduced a fresh format that forced contestants to confront a classic dilemma: Love or Money?

For the first time, the villa was split into two distinct zones:

 

Pyaar Villa — Focused on forming genuine connections, emotional bonds, and romantic challenges.

 

Paisa Villa — Emphasized competition, power plays, Splitcoins (in-game currency), and strategic eliminations.

 

Contestants could switch sides, use “Paisa Cards” to save themselves, or prioritize cash rewards over relationships. This created constant tension, backstabbing, and “loyalty tests” that kept viewers hooked. Special appearances by Uorfi Javed and Nia Sharma as mischiefmakers in the Paisa Villa added extra chaos and unpredictability to the Dome sessions. The season ran for around 45 days, with episodes airing Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on MTV India and JioHotstar.

 

The cast mixed Roadies alums, social media influencers, and fresh faces. The show was packed with explosive Dome sessions, secret tasks, love triangles, betrayals, and highstakes physical/mental challenges.

 

The Grand Finale (May 16)

 

The finale was a rollercoaster. After months of shifting alliances, the top connections battled it out in an ultimate task. Gullu and Kaira emerged victorious, lifting the trophy and taking home Rs.20 lakh. Yogesh & Ruru finished as strong runnersup.

 

Post-finale buzz was massive, with fans celebrating (or debating) the win on social media. Gullu’s Roadies background and sharp game-play, combined with Kaira’s presence, made them a fan-favorite power couple by the end.

 

Fresh Format: The Pyaar vs Paisa divide brought new strategic depth.

 

High Production & Drama: Explosive episodes, celebrity interventions, and emotional moments.

 

Youth Connect: It perfectly captured the “modern dating” dilemma — genuine feelings vs. practical gains.

 

Binge Factor: Available on JioHotstar for nonstop viewing.

 

Whether you loved the winners or rooted for the runners-up, Splitsvilla X6 proved yet again why it remains one of India’s most addictive reality franchises. It wasn’t just about finding love — it was about surviving the ultimate test of priorities in the villa.

 

Full Contestants List

 

The show featured a large cast divided between Pyaar Villa and Paisa Villa, with several wild cards and switches during the season. Here’s a compiled list of all major contestants who appeared:

 

Female Contestants

 

 

Akanksha Choudhary

Anjali Schmuck

Anisha Shinde

Asmita Adhikari

Diksha Pawar

Kaira Anu

Khushi Rawal

Keona Walke

Niharika Tiwari

Preet Singh

Ruru Thakur

Sadhaaf Shankar

Simran Khan

Soundarya Shetty

Suzzane

Zalak Gohil

Anushka Ghosh

 

 

Male Contestants

 

 

Kushal Tanwar (Gullu)

Yogesh Rawat (Yoga)

Sorab Bedi

Tayne De Villiers

Harshit Gururani

Himanshu Arora

Ayush Sharma

Ayush Jamwal

Anuj Sharma

Chakshdeep Singh

Gauresh Gujral

Mohit Magotra

Vishu Bajaj

Deeptanshu Saini

Ron Kariappa

Aarav Chugh

 

 

The season had more than 30 contestants in total (including entries and reentries), making it one of the bigger casts. The format allowed contestants to switch between the Pyaar and Paisa villas, leading to shifting alliances. Winners: Gullu (Kushal Tanwar) & Kaira Anu

Runnersup: Yogesh Rawat & Ruru Thakur.